For years I used products containing mineral oil to coat my strands. Many manufacturers use mineral oil in a majority of products that contain synthetic ingredients because of its behavior as a preservative. Mineral oil is the result of the distillation of petroleum which acts as a saran wrap against your scalp, slowing down one of the skin’s main job which is to eliminate toxins. On the other hand natural oils are easily absorbed by the skin.

When I used products that consisted mostly of synthetic materials such as Blue Magic I’m not going to lie my hair did grow, but it was not until I switched to all natural products that I began to see the true potential of my growth capability. Before the change in my regimen I experienced a GREAT deal of shedding and dandruff. Now those days are far behind. I’m still fascinated by how are body responds to topical products. Not only is it important to watch what we put into our bodies but what we put on it as well.

My boyfriend’s grandfather is full Cherokee Indian and when we met three years ago he always talked about the importance of what you put on your body, coming from a background of ancestors rich in a holistic lifestyle. But I could not and would not give up my trusty Coconut Blue Magic until just about a year ago. When I finally gave in to the natural “stuff” I was determined that this was just a trial period and I would be back on my good old Blue Magic in no time. Well it’s been a year later and I am still using the natural “stuff”. For years I had been so accustomed to my hair feeling greasy from the mineral oil based products that it took me a while to really understand what my hair felt like with natural oils.

Again I am not here to force you into switching into an all-natural regimen, do what works best for you, but I did come across two interesting articles from ehow.com about the usage of certain natural oils by Native Americans and the distinct benefits the hair reaps from each of these natural oils.

1. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is an extract of the Jojoba plant found in California, Arizona and parts of Mexico. Jojoba oil has been used for hundreds of years by American Indians to moisturize and grow hair. The molecular makeup of jojoba has similar characteristics to the natural oil the glands of the scalp produce. Jojoba oil can be purchased at herb shops and can be applied directly to your hair or you can add a few drops to your favorite conditioner to promote hair growth. Jojoba is hypoallergenic and will not harm your hair or scalp. Aloe vera is another product used by Native American Indians to promote hair growth and is also an excellent moisturizer for your hair.

2. Wheat Germ/Aloe Vera/Coconut Milk

Mix 1/4 cup of wheat germ, 1/4 cup of aloe vera and 1/4 cup of coconut milk and use this product as a natural shampoo. Aloe vera can be purchased at drugstores and herb shops and can also be applied directly to the scalp as it will open pores on the scalp that may have previously been blocked and will allow the hair follicles to grow. The American Indians also used and continue to use several kinds of oils to promote hair growth such as emu oil, rosemary oil, and mustard oil.

3. Peppermint Oil

A few drops of any of these products can be massaged directly into the scalp to stimulate the hair follicles and promote hair growth. Peppermint oil is also a good scalp stimulator but must be diluted before application. Mix 3 drops of peppermint oil with 3 teaspoons of water and massage into the scalp. These oils can be purchased at herb shops and all are hypoallergenic and not harmful to the hair or scalp.

4. Lavender Oil/Lavender Water

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula officinalis), native to the Mediterranean, is now grown in temperate climates worldwide. For centuries, lavender has been used by herbal practitioners to prevent baldness and to encourage new hair growth. Lavender contains potent anti-bacterial agents that soothe and heal scalp infections. It is useful in treating dandruff and adds volume to the hair shaft. Place a few sprigs of lavender in a glass container and cover with extra-virgin olive oil and cover tightly. Place in a cool, dark spot and allow to age for 3 to 4 weeks. Use the lavender infused oil as a daily scalp massage. Apply and leave on overnight. In the morning, wash hair with a gentle organic shampoo and style as usual.

A daily rinse of lavender water (bring water to a boil, add a few sprigs of lavender, reduce to simmer for 20 minutes, then cool) will impart a delightful fragrance and shine to hair. Apply lavender as a daily rinse after shampooing.

5. Burdock Root Oil

Burdock (Arctium Lappa) root oil, also known as Bur oil is one of the most important herbs used to restore hair. Burdock promotes healthy hair by relieving scalp irritations and improving blood circulation to the hair follicle. Burdock root oil supplies natural phytosterols and important essential fatty acids to hair roots, and has been traditionally used to reduce and reverse hair thinning. It is a key ingredient in many hair restoration treatments.

6. Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) has been used for centuries as both a food staple and as a healing medicinal herb. The herb produces a dark red berry which is dried and then pulverized into a fine powder. Saw palmetto is available in several forms including ointments, capsules, tinctures and teas. Recent scientific studies have shown that Saw Palmetto may have beneficial effects for those suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); male pattern baldness and other conditions associated with excess DHT (male hormone) production.

7. Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle (Urtica Diocia), found growing naturalized across America, blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Excessive DHT contributes to hair loss in both men and women. Stinging nettle can be purchased in either pill or capsule form and is said to be more effective when used in combination with saw palmetto. Nettle can be harvested in the wild (use gloves as the leaves are covered with tiny hairs that cause a stinging sensation upon contact with human skin). The fresh leaves can be submersed in olive oil in a glass jar. Seal and place in a cool, dark spot for 2 to 3 weeks. Apply the oil in an invigorating scalp massage. Stinging nettle essential oil is frequently an ingredient in organic shampoos and conditioners.

8. Rosemary

Used for centuries in cultures worldwide to promote hair growth and delay the onset of gray hair, Rosemary oil stimulates blood circulation of the scalp. A refreshing daily rinse of rosemary leaves simmered in water retains hair color. The rinse is most effective on dark hair. A few drops of rosemary oil can be added to olive oil and used as a scalp massage oil.

So interesting! Ladies, have you tried any of these? How do they work on your hair?

My hair has been begging for a hot oil treatment. Its been so long over due (once again i ask myself, how did i ever let it get this bad?)
For this i went out and bought Dr Miracle’s daily moisturizing GRO OIL. It is blended with vitamins A, D, & E, avocado and aloe vera. All these equal healthy hair growth, just what my mane needs. It also soothes and treats the scalp and promotes hair growth.
Interesting fact, it is excellent on relaxed, braided, natural or weaved hair.

For hot oil treatment: apply oil from roots to ends of hair. Massage into scalp, cover with a heating cap for 3-15 minutes (depending on your hair’s condition). Shampoo and you are done.

Dr Miracle’s products include proteins and nutrient-rich ingredients like vitamins & natural oils, that go beyond conditioning to nourish hair down to the core. We can all get and KEEP soft, shiny, strong, healthy and beautiful hair.

So, ive been in a serious hair funk. I have felt no love from my hair or for my hair. As a result all i have been doing is wash and go… Literally. Wash and go. In the past 2 and a half months i have not combed my hair at all.

This weekend i decided it was time i rekindled my relationship with my hair. So, Friday night i did a pre-poo(pre-shampoo). I drenched my scalp with coconut oil and spread it through my hair with my fingers. Saturday morning i shampooed my hair and it was nice and shiny.

Then i let it air dry as i mixed my conditioner. I used organics hair conditioner, alma herbal hair oil, moroccan argan oil, cactus oil and lavender extract.
For the lavender extract what you do is get a few sprigs of lavender boil them in a little water. Sieve it off and let cool. Thats what i used to rinse out my hair. Lavender is a great anti-spectic and works wonders for dandruff.

To comb out hair, i made four sections and combed it using an afro comb first then a fine toothed comb.

Boy does my hair look and feel great.
Well, thats stage number one in the love dare hair challenge.

1) MINERAL OIL: Found in most common hair lotions, hair sprays and hair ‘foods’ Mineral oil is a liquid by product of petroleum. It clogs the pore and accumulates on the hair shaft attracting dirt. Mineral oil cannot be washed … Continue reading →

This is my first ever product review. I would love to know why i have not done this before..i am shocked at myself, i truly am.

Anyway, for a while i have been wanting to cut my hair (i’ve gotten bored with it) and so i figured maybe i should do something with/or to it. I decided to dye my tresses. I chose Dark and Lovely’s magic plum. I picked this particular brand only because it says ‘with olive oil’.
The product claimed that it is easy to mix, has a pleasant odour and that it will leave your hair incredibly soft. I can safely that it is extremely easy to mix, and that it truly will leave your hair INCREDIBLY soft. However, that odour was far from pleasant.
And the best thing, my hair is now a beautiful magic plum. Its shiny and soft.

Now, i figured since i had used a none natural hair dye (i usually use henna hair dyes) i had to do some serious hair conditioning. I went with the ‘Honey Hair Conditioner Recipe’. I chose this particular one because i am supposed to let the mixture sit in my hair for 8 hours. (Now that’s some serious conditioning)!

This method requires zero additional heat. Do not apply heat to your hair with the honey in it.
Pour 1/3 cup of honey into a bowl.
Scoop a 1/4 cup of your favorite conditioner and put it in the bowl with the honey.
Combine the mixture until you have the perfect combination and consistency.
Apply the mixture to damp hair and cover with the shower cap. After this mixture has been sitting on your hair and scalp for 8 hours, you can take the shower cap off and wash the mixture out with water. I also added olive oil, alma hair oil, almond oil, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, and coconut oil.
The overall outcome of this process will have your hair looking and feeling silky, shiny, and healthy.

This is my first ever product review. I would love to know why i have not done this before..i am shocked at myself, i truly am.

Anyway, for a while i have been wanting to cut my hair (i’ve gotten bored with it) and so i figured maybe i should do something with/or to it. I decided to dye my tresses. I chose Dark and Lovely’s magic plum. I picked this particular brand only because it says ‘with olive oil’.
The product claimed that it is easy to mix, has a pleasant odour and that it will leave your hair incredibly soft. I can safely that it is extremely easy to mix, and that it truly will leave your hair INCREDIBLY soft. However, that odour was far from pleasant.
And the best thing, my hair is now a beautiful magic plum. Its shiny and soft.

Now, i figured since i had used a none natural hair dye (i usually use henna hair dyes) i had to do some serious hair conditioning. I went with the ‘Honey Hair Conditioner Recipe’. I chose this particular one because i am supposed to let the mixture sit in my hair for 8 hours. (Now that’s some serious conditioning)!

This method requires zero additional heat. Do not apply heat to your hair with the honey in it.
Pour 1/3 cup of honey into a bowl.
Scoop a 1/4 cup of your favorite conditioner and put it in the bowl with the honey.
Combine the mixture until you have the perfect combination and consistency.
Apply the mixture to damp hair and cover with the shower cap. After this mixture has been sitting on your hair and scalp for 8 hours, you can take the shower cap off and wash the mixture out with water. I also added olive oil, alma hair oil, almond oil, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, and coconut oil.
The overall outcome of this process will have your hair looking and feeling silky, shiny, and healthy.

Ingredients

8oz Spray Bottle

6.5-7oz Aloe Vera Juice

1tbsp Jojoba Oil

1tbsp Avocado Oil

Essential Oils if desired

Directions

Fill the Spray Bottle up wit the aloe vera juice and measure in the oils. Keep refrigerated. Mixture will need a good shake before use as the oils have a tendency to clump together from the refrigeration. This mixture will have a natural aloe vera smell. To mask the scent due to a dislike or for a nice hair fragrance add in a couple drops of your favorite essential oil. I prefer to use Sweet Orange, Lemon, or Vanilla.

"Of course, there will always be those who look only at technique, who ask 'how', while others of a more curious nature will ask 'why'. Personally, I have always preferred inspiration to information." ~Man Ray